plate no. 8431

Cascading Brook

Robert Lewis Reid, 1916

oilImpressionismlandscapewaterfallstreamrocksfoliagetreeslandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in impressionistic brushwork and color mixing to represent light and texture in a natural setting. Students will also learn to simplify complex scenes into basic shapes and colors.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Lightly sketch the basic composition, focusing on the placement of the waterfall, stream, and major rock formations.
step 02
Block in the main color areas with thin washes, starting with the background foliage and then moving to the water and rocks.
step 03
Build up layers of color using short, broken brushstrokes to create texture and visual interest.
step 04
Pay attention to the direction of light and shadow, using lighter colors for highlights and darker colors for shadows.
step 05
Add details to the waterfall and stream, using white and light blue to represent the movement of water.
step 06
Refine the foliage with various shades of green, yellow, and brown, adding small touches of color to suggest flowers and leaves.
step 07
Add final touches and highlights to create depth and dimension.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall balance and harmony of the painting, making any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · sap green · ultramarine blue · burnt umber

secondary · titanium white · cadmium yellow · alizarin crimson · violet

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and ultramarine blue. Create earth tones by mixing burnt umber with other colors. Use white to lighten colors and create highlights.

techniques